Sooners host Kansas in final home game of 2018

November 15, 2018 &squf; By Ray Dozier

Oklahoma’s defense remains the weakest link of the 2018 Sooners’ football program. The
offense is the best in the nation, and without this dynamic unit, the Sooners Schooner would have
bogged down on the road to the Big 12 and possibly the College Football Playoffs the past two
weeks.

It is OU’s offense that has the Sooners still in the sixth position for the playoffs.

“Statistically, this is, historically, one of the greatest offenses in college football history,” said
ESPN’s Jesse Palmer on Tuesday.

Oklahoma leads the country in total offense (577.1 ypg) and second in scoring (49.0 ppg). The O
is cranking out 8.9 yards per play—.6 more yards than a year ago. Quarterback Kyler Murray
leads the nation this year with a passing efficiency rating of 212.9. His predecessor, Baker
Mayfield set the NCAA single-season record with a mark of 198.9.

The Sooners defense is anything but a model of efficiency. OU was expected to blow out
Oklahoma State last weekend. The Sooners’ defense gave up 501 passing yards in a 48-47
victory over the Cowboys.

After Mike Stoops was fired as defensive coordinator in mid-season, the Sooners’ D performed
well against TCU and Kansas State, two non-stellar offenses. The defense allowed an average of
17 points and 260 yards against the Horned Frogs and Wildcats. (I did not include TCU’s 99-yard kickoff return since it didn’t happen against the defense).

Then came two more quality foes—Texas Tech and OSU. Oklahoma’s D yielded an average of
46.5 points and 556.5 yards in those two contests. After allowing an average of 135.5 passing
yards against TCU and K-State, the defense gave up an average of 433.5 against the Red Raiders
and Cowboys.

As bad as OU’s defense has performed this year, Kansas’ defense is not much better. Both teams
meet Saturday night at 6:30 on FOX. Sixth-ranked Oklahoma is 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the Big 12
Conference.

The Jayhawks are 3-7 and 1-6. As the Sooners have managed to log a good record with one of
the best offenses in the country, KU’s offense is as bad as its defense.

Kansas’ defense is just a notch above Oklahoma’s (no. 79) by giving up 415.9 ypg. The
Jayhawks rank 74th in points (22.9) allowed per game.

Linebacker Joe Dineen Jr., a preseason all-conference pick, leads KU with 119 tackles, 10 for
losses, including 3 sacks. He’s also recorded two fumble recoveries and an interception. All-Big
12 defensive tackle Daniel Wise has logged 9.5 tackles behind the line and leads the defense
with 4 sacks. Safety Hasam Defense (no pun, that’s his surname) leads with three interceptions
and has broken up 6 passes.

The Jayhawks’ offense is even more pathetic. They rank 109th in scoring (22.9 ppg) and 115th in
total yards (339.0 ypg). KU’s began the season 2-1 against its non-conference slate then dipped
to 1-6 against the Big 12 opponents. The Hawks have averaged 17.1 ppg and 314.3 ypg in
conference action. Kansas beat TCU, 27-26, for its lone Big 12 victory.

Running back Pooka Williams Jr. is the best player on the offense as he’s rushed for770 yards
and 4 TDs. Quarterback Peyton Bender has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 1,568 yards
with 12 TDs and 2 INTs. Wideout Steven Sims Jr. is the team’s top receiver with 42 catches for
473 yards and 4 TDs.

The Jayhawks don’t even rank in the top 50 of national statistics except in three
categories—turnover margin (No. 4), red zone defense (No. 31), and kickoff returns (46th). KU
has recovered 10 fumbles and picked off 13 passes and has given the ball away 10 times.
Kansas’ opponents have reached the red zone 37 times and scored 29 times (78.4%).

KU has averaged 21.4 yards per kickoff return. Williams leads the returnees with 22.7 per return.

Coach David Beaty was fired earlier this month after a lackluster career, becoming the fourth
consecutive skipper to fail to rejuvenate the football program in the last decade. Former
Oklahoma assistant revived the Jayhawks program, but he was fired for being too rough on his
players. Mangino led KU to a 50-48 mark and an Orange Bowl victory in 2007. Kansas has gone
14-82 since.

West Virginia, which has an offense similar to the Sooners, defeated the Hawks by only 16
points (38-22) six weeks ago. The Mountaineers have averaged 41.5 ppg against their other
opponents. WVU’s offense is nowhere as good as Oklahoma’s, but we’ll find out about that in
one more week.

The Sooners cannot afford to look past Kansas to the Mountaineers next Friday. No, the
Jayhawks will not beat OU, but it could keep it close especially if the Sooners’ defense cannot
make some crucial stops.

KU’s only hope to slow Oklahoma’s offense is to create some more turnovers. But, OU’s offense
has been terrific in not giving up the pigskin—5 INTs and 3 fumbles.

The Hawks’ D has given up 8.4 yards per pass attempt this year; 12.9 per completion. Those
numbers have inflated to 11.4 and 13.2 during the last four games. The Sooners average 11.8
yards per attempt and 16.9 per catch.

The Jayhawks haven’t put up double-digit points on Oklahoma in the past four meetings, and
five of the last six. They will this year.